MS Dhoni recently stepped down as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, ahead of IPL 2022. Winning the IPL 2021, Dhoni reminded the cricketing world of leadership prowess. After enormous success in international white-ball cricket, IPL has been no different for him.

Whether it’s about batting, keeping, or overall fitness, the 40-years old has been the best in the business, for years. Dhoni, considered one of the best finishers around the globe, has scored more than 10,000 runs in 350 ODIs, at an average of 50.57, with 10 centuries and 73 half-centuries.

In T20Is, MS Dhoni has appeared in 98 games, scoring 1617 runs, at an average of 37.60, and a strike rate of 126.13. Dhoni has scored 4876 runs in his 144 Test innings, at an average of 38.09, with 6 hundred and 33 fifties. Moreover, the Ranchi-born wicket-keeper has marvelous records while keeping and captaining his national side.

Dhoni’s leadership skills are considered as one of the best, unconditionally. He has always been exceptional while choosing players. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are results of Dhoni’s vision as a skipper. Across his cricket career of more than 18 years including the Indian Premier League (IPL), he has shared the dressing room with numerous known and unknown athletes.

5 players you might not know were once MS Dhoni’s teammates

1. Kevin Pietersen (Pune Supergiants)

The former English cricketer, famous for his wide stance, batting technique, on-field attitude, was the part of Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS), a team led by MS Dhoni, in 2016.

Pietersen played four matches for RPS, scoring merely 73 runs; he stayed not out twice. During his short stint with the IPL side, Pietesen got to work with Dhoni and know him from close quarters. Before RPS, Pietersen had played for Delhi Daredevils (known as Delhi Capitals), now-defunct Deccan Chargers, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, then from 2009 to 2016.

Pietersen had played only 36 IPL innings, scoring 1001 runs, at a strike rate of 134.7. The cricketer-turned-commentator, considered one of the most stylish British batters, has over 13,000 international runs in his account.

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2. Mitchell Marsh (Rising Pune Supergiant)

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was signed by Rising Pune Supergiant for the IPL 2016. Marsh played three matches for RPS, led by Dhoni, but failed to perform boldly. He scored only seven runs with the bat, but took four wickets, in three innings.

For IPL 2017, Marsh was resigned by the franchise for $1 million, but couldn’t play any match due to a shoulder injury. Marsh’s absence wasn’t missed by his team as they made it to the final before going down in the thrilling final against Mumbai Indians by one run.

Currently playing for Delhi Capitals, Marsh was Australia’s hero, as his excellent performance in T20 World Cup 2020, helped the Aussies to clinch the title. The 30-year old has 239 IPL runs & 20 wickets, in 22 innings, in his tally.

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3. Vijay Shankar (Chennai Super Kings)

Third on the list is Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar. A medium-pace bowler and middle-order batter Vijay was bought by Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2014. He played only one match for CSK and did not bat. He bowled only one over in that match against Rajasthan Royals and conceded 19 runs.

The 23-years old shared a dressing room with MS Dhoni, then. The all-rounder was selected in the Indian cricket team for the 2019 World Cup & has played his last international match back in 2019.

Until now, Shankar has scored 731 runs in 51 IPL matches & has taken 9 wickets. He is representing Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 and is struggling to perform well.

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4. Scott Boland (Rising Pune Supergiant)

Australian pacer Scott Boland played for MS Dhoni-led Rising Pune Supergiant, in IPL 2016. He made his IPL debut against the Mumbai Indians. He played two games for RPS and took two wickets, during his spell of seven overs, on the whole.

The pacer had a strike rate of 21 and a reasonable economy of 7.71. The pacer was dropped from the squad due to strategic reasons, then. The 32-year-old recently made headlines for his memorable debut in the Ashes.

Boland has played 20 international matches and has taken 37 wickets. Currently, he is an integral member of Australia’s Test team.

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5. Nuwan Kulasekara (Chennai Super Kings)

Former Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Kulasekara was a part of CSK for IPL 2012 season. CSK bought Kulasekara for INR 75 lakh, through auction. However, the right-arm pacer failed to perform well.

Kulasekara played five matches in the 2012 season and bowled 14 overs for his team. He picked up five wickets at a strike rate of 21. The 39-year-old then conceded runs at an economy of 6.71. The right-arm pacer didn’t bowl a single over in one of the matches played. Furthermore, he was dropped by the franchise in the next season.

Considering his international career, Kulasekara has played 263 international games, picking up 313 wickets. The 37-year-old then was a part of the 2014 T20 World Cup-winning team.

Written by Prachi Pisal

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